Annual Report - Lutheran Services in America

More documents

Recommendations

Info

View The National Listen to the Sound of Digital Voices While engaging its members on broad issues of social change, LSA and LSA Disability Network focus on practice-based public policy advocacy. LSA-DN’s public policy priorities engage members to educate policy makers and shape public opinion on issues related to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community through Medicaid. Meg Cooch is the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for LSA Disability Network. Also in DC is Robert Francis, Director of Advocacy and Policy for LSA. A compelling story can engage people, encourage understanding and empathy and forward legislative action. The unique voices of real people can highlight positive outcomes and lift up needed policy changes. LSA organizations harness the storytelling power of video, written word and social media to educate policy makers and the public, articulate public policy problems and identify legislative solutions – especially in an election year. Members of Lutheran Services in America Disability Network (LSA-DN) are telling our stories in new and different ways. At October’s One God One Call Spiritual Life Conference, a videographer captured 16 stories from people who have disabilities and their families, members of congregations and service providers. They talked about what living in the community meant to them, how Medicaid impacts their lives, and what they would like to tell legislators. The results are on the “Lutheran Disability Network” channel at www.youtube.com. LSA-DN is working on a short advocacy video that draws from clips of all participants as well. Lutheran social ministry organizations are healthy and vital, engaged in effective service and advocacy. LSA members also frequently use video technology to spread a message. Bethesda Lutheran Communities has given inexpensive handheld flip video cameras to direct support professionals to capture stories and advocacy messages from participants. These have then been posted on YouTube under the “Bethesda Voices” channel and shared with legislators in their districts. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota helped put together a documentary for public television which included participants telling their stories about employment and community living. LSS sent DVDs of this documentary to local congregations with a guide on how to use it to discuss disability and faith. There are many more stories. To learn more, check out www. lutheranservices.org/policy_resources. Meg Cooch Election Megaphones Election season is a great time to harness the power of stories to educate candidates and raise awareness about key issues. Be creative in shouting out the stories that highlight policy successes, opportunities and challenges facing participants and social ministry organizations: • Purchase flip video cameras for staff and participants to capture the issues they care about most in the election and share the stories with candidates; • Create questions for candidates on the issues and share them with staff, board members, consumers, families and volunteers so they can ask candidates for responses; • Invite candidates to visit your sites and experience a “day in the life of” one of your participants; • Use social media to spread stories and encourage candidates to answer questions on issues that impact your participants; • Attend town hall meetings and fairs where candidates will be present and tell stories of participants; • Consider planning a candidates’ forum to raise issues and allow people to tell their stories directly to candidates. LSA-DN has created a guide to questions for candidates on Medicaid and disability issues. You can download it at www. lsa-dn.org. Check out LSA policy and advocacy pages in the www. lutheranservices.org or www. lsadnadvocacy.org for more information about storytelling and election year activities. 14 Together | www.lutheranservices.org
Save dateS September 27-30, 2012 Boston, ma Your Name Here 2012 executive Retreat the The Staff of LSA Staff MEMBERS Adenike Akintilo Event/Meeting Manager John Carter Manager of Administration Margaret Cooch Director of Public Policy and Advocacy LSA-DN Evia Cozart National Office Administrator Bruce Cropf Vice President Finance and Administration Robert Francis Director of Advocacy and Policy Trish Holford Senior Director Creative Services Jeanean Merkel Vice President Communications and Marketing Lisa Schiller Vice President, Operations Acting President and CEO Bob York Senior Director of Leadership Development/ Member Engagement Kristin Vought Student Intern Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia Sara Whitman Database Specialist Liaisons Josselyn Bennett Director for Poverty and Justice Congregational and Synodical Mission The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Dorothy Krans Director of Social Ministry Organizations The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod 2013 CEO Academy February 2-7, 2013 Carefree, AZ Your Name Here Please add me to the mailing list for Together magazine. There is no charge for subscriptions, but donations are always welcome. Name 2013 Leadership academy Organization January 27-January 31, 2013 Carefree, aZ Your Name Here Address City / State / Zip 2013 LSa Conference Service Speaks april 8-11, 2013 Washington, DC Your Name Here Connect with us: www.lutheranservices.org Would you like to receive other e-news from LSA? monthly e-news LSA Washington weekly policy update Leadership Paths Caring Connections Email Address Mail to: LSA, 700 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230 Fax to: 410-230-2710 Email: together@lutheranservices.org April 2012 | Together 15
Page 1 and 2: INSIDE 2011 Annual Report 1942 1853
Page 3 and 4: Welcome A God More Invites Trustwor
Page 5 and 6: Oaks Indian Mission 1842 Glade Run
Page 7 and 8: Lutheran Mission Society of Marylan
Page 9 and 10: 12 Above: Brett Smith works on a Va
Page 11 and 12: 1979 Lutheran Volunteer Corps Carro
Page 13 and 14: Caregiver Suite The Search is On Ev
Page 15: Lutheran Social Services of South C
Page 19 and 20: 00312 Mi Stories Ad Ken Crest:Layou
Page 21 and 22: “Go home to your friends and tell
Page 23 and 24: T:7.5” S:7.5” INVEST WITH A BAN

Annual Report - Lutheran Services in America

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?